Wednesday 31 July 2013

Late update

Late extras from Wombwell Blade and Woff Cuit - Old Moor: Little Egret 5, LRP 4,Redshank, Common Tern 17. No sign of Night Heron this evening.

Wintersett update 31.07.13

A juvenile Little Egret  was spotted flying over Cold Hiendley Reservoir at 15.10hrs by Paul and Ruth Thorp.  It then perched high in a Silver Birch tree where it stayed until 16.31hrs, when it flew down towards the edge of the water and out of sight. 

Highlights so far today

Old Moor: Peregrine, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Wood Sand, Green Sand 4, Common Sand 3, Greenshank 2, Dunlin.

Broomhill Flash: Wood Sand (possibly as Old Moor?).

Wombwell Ings: Little Egret 2, Greenshank.

Brickworks area: Grasshopper Warbler 'reeling' (second day).

The 'Gropper' at the Brickworks - Jim Thompson.

Wintersett 31.07.13

Forecast  said dry until late afternoon but it started raining steadily at 10.00 until 12.00. Cooler and cloudy 18°C.
Anglers CP: Oystercatcher 4 (2 adults and 2 juvs.),   Teal 1,  Pochard 1♀ and Goldeneye 1♀.
Cold Hiendley Res:  Gadwall 6 large young and Tufted Duck Broods 2 vs + 6 m + 3 s  WRes.
The number of Tufted ducks in wing moult  is increasing at CHRes and ACP.
Wintersett Res: Dunlin 1 over SW,  Yellow-legged Gull 1 3rd Summer,  Common Tern 6,  Grasshopper Warbler 1♂ and  1 very small young Mallard.  
51 birds were ringed today before rain stopped play including 2 juvenile Grasshopper Warblers,  16 Swallows,  11 Chiffchaff,  6 Willow Warblers and 4 Sedge Warblers.

Empty Edderthorpe......

Not empty in a liquid way, yesterdays rain has pushed water levels up again, but empty in a bird way. My guess is the Peregrine paid a visit before I did. Lapwing just 18 - there were over 350 just a couple of days ago. Three Green Sands and four Common Sands are spread out along the perimeter edges and 2 Dunlin came in. A single juvenile Shelduck remains and 2 Common Terns are present.

Tuesday 30 July 2013

Tews Nues!

Old Moor: Little Egret 2+ roosted, Night Heron flew from Reedbeds area towards Bolton Ings at 9.20 pm, Wigeon 1, Hobby 1, Avocet 4, Oystercatcher 8, Ringed Plover 3, LRP 2 juvs, Golden Plover 2, Green Sand 6, Common Sand 6, Wood Sand 1 juv, Greenshank 2 ads, Black t Godwit 1, Common Tern 14+, Barn Owl 3, Cuckoo juv, Willow Tit 1.

Broomhill Flash

All the usual suspects on Broomhill first thing this morning, so here goes.

Green sand 1,
Common Sandpiper 1,
Snipe 1.

Great crested grebe 1,
Gadwall 26+,
Tufted 52,
Little grebe 23,
Mallard 3,
Cormorant 2.

Wintersett Ringing Recovery 30.07.13

An adult  SEDGE WARBLER  ringed at Uebersyren  49° 38' N 6° 17' E  LUXEMBOURG  on 28th April 2012 was  retrapped  at Wintersett Reservoir on 8th May 2012,  a distance of 692 kms to the north west in just 10 days.

Wintersett 30.07.13

20°C, warm and  cloudy with WSW breeze.
Anglers CP: Highlight today was a  Black-tailed Godwit that left NE at 09.30hrs.  Greenshank 1,  Redshank 1 flew SW and  Oystercatcher 4,  Teal 3,  Goldeneye 1♀ and Yellow Wagtail 1.
Wintersett Res: 3rd Summer Yellow-legged Gull,  Common Tern 4 and 3 very small Tufted Ducklings.

Black-tailed Godwit                                Lynz Harston

Fewer birds - here's the answer......

Arrived at Edderthorpe this morning at the usual time and it was instantly obvious there were far fewer birds on the marsh. There has been a noticeable decline in numbers over the last few days coinciding with the arrival of the recent thunder storms. The real reason for the decline became clear when all the Lapwings and gulls instantly took to the air in panic and a juvenile Peregrine motored across the flash and crashed into a Lapwing. A fast airborne tussle, a few loose feathers and the Lapwing managed to break free and escape. The Peregrine made sure everything else was airborne, landed briefly on the grass before heading off over the fields. By the time I left a hour later the marsh was still fairly devoid of birds (except ducks and geese) . So if you visit and see nothing - there's your answer. Birds I did see pre-Peregrine;- Green Sand 1, Common Sand 5, Dunlin 3, Snipe 2, Shelduck 1.

Monday 29 July 2013

Barrow Tip

Buzzard 2, Kestrel 2, 
Red Admiral 1, Meadow Brown 510 and Gatekeeper 535, Common Darter 12 and a Grass Snake. (Chris Parkin)

Ingbirchworth

Gilroyd - a pair of Red-legged Partridge.
Westhorpe, Penistone - 1 Peregrine Falcon
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 8 Canada Geese, c65 Mallards, 27 Tufted Ducks, 2 Grey Herons, 6 Great Crested Grebes + 2 young, 1 Little Grebe, 24 Coots and 1 Oystercatcher..
No Quail heard on Spicer House Lame.
Midhope Reservoir - 10 Teal, 4 Little Grebes and a pair of Moorhen + 2 young.

The Edge 29th July

Wombwell Ings mid AM- Still smiling after watching Seev negotiate 'The Narrows' entrance to the hide on Friday. What a mover!!! Best described as 'Any which way but certainly not loose'.  Birds present included 1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Mute Swan, 134 Canada Geese, 37 Mallard, 3 Gadwall, 1 Teal, 2 Oystercatcher, 94 Lapwing, 1 Greenshank, 1 LRP, 2 Kestrel, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Linnet, and 1 Sedge Warbler.

Broomhill Flash late AM-  Present were 1 Cormorant, 14 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 29 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 22 adult+39 young Tufted Duck, 8adult+20 young Gadwall, 35+ Lapwing, 1 LRP, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Kestrel.

Bolton Ings early AM- On the open water were 8 Cormorant, 15 Little Grebe, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Mute Swan+ young, 21 Canada Geese, 5 Greylag, 39 Tufted Duck+49 young, 14 Gadwall+7 young and 8 Pochard+3 young. Also present 56 Lapwing and 1 LBB Gull.

Old Moor - Green Sandpiper - Photos from today 29-07-13

A brief visit at lunch with the following shots of Green Sand from the Wader Scrape Hide.

Green Sandpiper - Old Moor - 29-07-13




I know this is not a Green Sand....

Wintersett 29.07.13

21°C,  warm with a SW breeze.  Very heavy thunder storms around midday, 15.00 hrs and 17.00hrs.
Wintersett Res: Grasshopper Warbler 1♂.
Anglers CP:  Green Sandpiper 1 flew into shallows at 11.37hrs,   Yellow-legged Gull 1 3rd Summer,  Common Sandpiper 1,   Curlew 1,  Yellow Wagtail 2,  Common Tern 5,  Greylag Goose 42,  Oystercatcher 4,  Goldeneye 1♀ and Teal 1.
Also flying: Red Admiral
Moths trapped last night included: Double  Lobed,  Angle-striped Sallow,  Scarce Footman,  2 Dingy Footman and 2 White Satin.

Double Lobed   Apamea ophiogramma    32-35mm   ASmith

Monday am

First, early morning news from Old Moor which I tried to post at 7.30 but had the usual internet problems: Little Egret, Oystercatcher 8, Ringed Plover 5, Golden Plover 2, Avocet 4, Green Sand 6, Wood Sand 1, Common Sand 5.

Broomhill Flash: Little Egret.

Hooded Crow? I was shown a mobile phone picture this morning of what could be a Hooded Crow taken on Cawthorne Lane, Cawthorne recently. It certainly had a grey mantle, but if or not it was the 'real-deal' was difficult to determine. Nowadays, Hooded Crow is a rare bird in Yorkshire and whilst summer might seem an unlikely time for one to turn up I do remember one at Broomhill once in mid-July (1989?). So, if anybody lives nearby or has a bit of time on their hands it must be worth checking.

Quiet - but it is about birds!

Little to report from Edderthorpe Flash this morning;- Little Egret 1, Teal 14, the first returning Shoveler-5, Gadwall 39, Ringed Plover 4, Green Sand' 1, Common Sand' 5, Lapwing 299. And now no doubt 'someone' will venture down here and discover something I've 'missed'. Good luck.

Sunday 28 July 2013

Kiss-of-death?

An evening visit to Old Moor armed with my SLR this time. Stayed until 9.30pm - you can guess the rest!!!
Birds that were seen: Little Egret 5+ roosted, Peregrine 1, Ringed Plover 3, Oystercatcher 5, Green Sand 7, Wood Sand 1 juv (not clear if this is yesterdays bird as apparently not seen through day), Common Sand 2, Greenshank 1, Common Tern 26 (5 juvs) roosted on Mere, Barn Owl 2, Kingfisher 1, Jay 5.

News from others:

Broomhill: Crossbill 2 female/juvs flew north late aft (Shaun Roebuck), Jay 4.

Wombwell Ings: Little Egret 2, LRP 5, Dunlin 2, Greenshank 1, Curlew 2 north.

Butterflies Intake Lane Cudworth

Can anyone ID please, looks like Meadow Brown but has double spots?


Edderthorpe, Sunday morning

Highlight from this morning was a cracking red adult Bar-tailed Godwit which came in at 07.40 for 15 minutes before leaving north-west up the valley with 2 Curlew. A Whimbrel went over calling at 07.05. On the marsh are;- Ringed Plover 11, Dunlin 6, Common Sand 3, LRP 1, Shelduck 6 juveniles and a Common Tern. After last nights storm not much visible mud remains, although there are still large areas of short vegetation covered mud and its still looking attractive to migrating waders (hopefully).

Broomhead Moor 28/7

A quiet day today with driving rain at times ..

Results were .. Kestrel x3, Common buzzard x2, merlin x3 (poss 4), red kite x1, raven x3 and then 2 juv stonechats which were seen on the way back down the track just past the 'S' bend on the RHS .. A third bird was also present and was presumed to be another juv stonechat but due to wet bins and driving rain the ID couldn't be confirmed before I got fed up and bogged off home ...

Elsecar & Broomhill

Elsecar Reservoir - 91 Mallards, 11 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Grey Herons and 19 Coots.
Broomhill Flash - 2 Mute Swans, 36 Canada Geese, 14 Mallards, 2 Common Pochards, 10+ Tufted Ducks with broods of 4+4+6+7 ducklings, 1 immature Cormorant, 20+ Little Grebes including young, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Little Egrets, 18 Moorhens, 154 Coots, 1 Common Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper and 2 Green Sandpipers,

Wintersett Flyover Relay 28.07.13

A pleasant 20­°C, warm with a  light SW wind.  Light showers p.m.
The highlight today was watching the visible migration  of a BITTERN.  Graham picked it up from the bench on WRes. It was flying high over Botany and then circled over to the south bank before turning back and flying towards Anglers CP.   He phoned Pete and it was  picked up  flying high  and circling over the area at 09.45hrs  before leaving  north west at 10.00hrs.  Pete alerted Jonathan at Pugneys who quickly picked it up.   The Pugneys team  then watched the bird fly in and drop into the reed beds on the  reserve lake at 10.12hrs. Brilliant! 
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 5,  Pochard 10
Anglers CP:  The usual Yellow-legged Gull, now a 3rd Summer bird, was present. Common Sandpiper 3,    Buzzard 4, Goldeneye 1♀,  Teal 2 and  Oystercatcher 5.    Then there was more visible migration: Yellow Wagtail  3 S + 1 over.   Curlew 5 SW,  Ringed Plover 1 over at 14.35hrs,  Dunlin 4 E at 14.37hrs. A Green Sandpiper flew in to the shallows at 15.15 and left SW at 15.35hrs,  and 2 more Dunlin SW at 15.25.  Finally, between 2 and 4 p.m  412 Lesser Black-backed Gulls flew south.

Bolton Ings - 28th July

Three weeks since my last visit and an autumnal feel to today rather than a mid summer one last time. The overnight rain had stopped and clear blue skies at first but clouded over later, breezy but still warm. The river was up following the rain, about 4 feet but the paths had dried out ok. Highlights today were 2 Little Egrets, at least 34 Little Grebes including a brood of 5, 2 broods of Great Crested Grebes, Coots building up to 218 but Black Headed Gulls moving out, only 80 seen. Full List:- Grey Heron 2, Little Egret 2, Mute Swan 4 ads + 6 juvs, Canada Goose 55, Grey Lag Goose 27, Great Crested Grebe pair + 3 juvs and pair + 2 juvs, Little Grebe 34 (ads & juvs), Mallard 12 + brood of 1, Gadwall 6 + brood of 7, Tufted Duck 43 + broods of 20, 6, 5, 4, 4, 3 & 3 + many other chicks unattached, Pochard 8 + brood of 4, Coot 218 ads & juvs + 1 new chick, Moorhen 12, Lapwing 37, Oystercatcher 1, Black Headed Gull 80 (46 juvs), LBB Gull 1, Common Tern 1 ad + 1 juv, Sand Martin 4, Green Woodpecker 1, Kingfisher 1, Blackcap 2 singing, Chiffchaff 1 singing, Whitethroat 1.

Looked onto Old Moor form the old railway line and saw 1 adult and 1 juv Avocet on the Wader Scrape.

Return of the net!

Internet returned at just before midnight - things are looking up. Missed out on all those removed comments from earlier so the only clue I have is a text from Jeff Wragg who told me that my earlier question had stirred up a hornets nest. What did he mean I wonder? Anyway, here comes another!

A good evening visit to Old Moor began with a juvenile Wood Sandpiper on the Wader Scrape. News of this bird had appeared on the pager late afternoon. Thanks.

Wood Sand' on the Wader Scrape - John Hewitt
The rain had set in and was presumably responsible for grounding a summer-plumage Knot on The Mere. With the deteriorating light and more than a tad of 'cant be arsed' attitude I continued to the Wath Ings hide without my SLR, where, sods law, the first bird I saw as I walked through the door was the immature Night Heron. This is the first time I have seen it really well, and, as mentioned by several observers who saw it well the other  night, the streaking on the underparts would suggest its a first-summer. At least I did have my 'digiscope' kit and managed to grab a couple of acceptable images before it slowly walked back under the willows about 5 minutes before the next birders arrived. I had to leave on a call-out but they stayed til dark without success.



And finally: Ivan Martin phoned to tell me he had seen a bird fly northeast over Midhope at 11.55 and he was 100% sure it was a Great Skua. Goodnight.

Saturday 27 July 2013

Edderthorpe

Less birds on here this morning and far less after a juvenile Peregrine terrorised all the waders for ten minutes around sevenish. Birds pre-Peregrine;- Little Egret 2, Shelduck 6, Ringed Plover 10, Dunlin 7 and Common Sand 3.

Wintersett 27.07.13

After another fine, sunny and warm day, heavy rain has just started. 18.25hrs
Anglers CP:  Highlight today was a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull that flew in mid afternoon.  Common Sandpiper 1,  Goldeneye 1♀,  Oystercatcher 5,  Common Gull 2
Cold Hiendley Res: Pochard 2
Wintersett Res: Common Sandpiper,  Green Woodpecker,   Yellow Wagtail 2 over,  Grey Wagtail 1 over, Garden Warbler 1 adult,  Common Tern 5,  Sand Martin 10 and Grasshopper Warbler 1 reeling.
A total of 123 birds were ringed this morning including : 35 Swallow,  6 Sand Martin,  19 Willow Warbler,  12 Chiffchaff,  17 Whitethroat,  7 Reed Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler and 1 Yellow Bunting.

LOOK  AWAY  NOW  IF  YOU'RE  ONLY  INTERESTED  IN  BIRDS!
Also flying: The first Common Darter of the year was seen at Walton Hall.

Saturday morning

Very little news in so far. Old Moor: Green Sand 4, Common Sand 2. A Grasshopper Warbler was at Cathill this morning. Three Little Egrets roosted last night but again no sign of the Night Heron.

Mega Moth? A Chocolate Tip was trapped at Old Moor overnight and is apparently thought to be possibly only the second Yorkshire record. Whilst on this subject I am hearing lots of complaints about the Barnsley Birds Sightings blog being more of a Moth site or clotted with bugs. Whilst I personally have a limited interest in things without feathers (yes, I do have an eiderdown!) I can cope with scrolling through it and hopefully picking up on the bits I want to. Maybe the solution is to start a separate site for the other stuff and just post the exceptional non-bird stuff on here as a pointer? What does anybody else think?

Xanthic or Xanthochroic?

Stocksbridge - a male xanthic or perhaps xanthocroic Greenfinch on garden feeders since 22nd July -that's a washed-out pale yellow looking one to me and thee..

Friday 26 July 2013

Butterfly Count

TPT Low Cudworth - Ardsley Viaduct - Storrs Mill via River Dearne. (Corral & Hibbert)
Small Tortoiseshell 52, Ringlet 125, Meadow Brown 201, Large White 45, Purple Hairstreak 39, Peacock 21, Small Skipper 135, Gatekeeper 176, Small Copper 2, Green Veined/Small White 208 and a late Large Skipper. 

Edderthorpe Flash
Peacock 19, S. Tortoiseshell 12, Comma 2, Gatekeeper 45, Meadow Brown 46, Small Skipper 17.
Les arrived back home to find a Painted Lady on his Buddleja.

Notton Wood
This evening I counted 180 Purple Hairstreaks (Ralph Hibbert)

Cudworth
Last night moths in my garden didn't produce anything out of the ordinary, but there were lots in the trap. Best of the bunch were Large Twin-spot Carpet and Lesser Broad-borderd Yellow Underwing.

Large Twin-spot Carpet

Quiet, but at least not tyred today!

First, just to say that there was no sign of the Night Heron last night (per Jeff Wragg). Apologies for not being able to post this last night but for the third time this week my internet was down. Anyway, a nice shot of it below from the day before last!

Jeff Wragg

A visit to Old Moor today where it was very quiet migrant-wise. Still, at least I didn't hear that awful hissing noise from the day before which turned out to be a £55 puncture! Anyway brief highlights as follows: Buzzard 2, Green Sand 3, Common Sand 2.

Broomhil Flash: Turnstone

Edderthorpe extra: Turnstone 2 (Ivan Martin).

Oh, and that Caspian Terns getting nearer.....................

Wintersett Red Kite 26.07.13

23°C hot, humid and sunny this morning, clouds building this afternoon.
Anglers CP: Highlight today was a Red Kite, in wing moult, circling north of the park and them left west at 14.30hrs.    Oystercatcher 3 adults and 3 juvs.
Wintersett Res:  Pochard 7,  Common Tern 9 adults,  Yellow Wagtail 1 ♂ + 1 ACP.  Great Crested Grebe young 1 + 3.  Grasshopper Warbler 1 ♂,  Mallard 4 very small young.
Moths trapped last night included:  Crescent Striped,  Olive,  Plain Wave,  Muslin Footman,  Silky Wainscott,  Pinion-streaked Snout,   2 Scarce Footman and 2 White Satin.
Butterflies were evident in huge numbers today, with Large and Small Whites everywhere.  A White-letter Hairstreak was seen on elm on NE bank WRes.
Thanks to Lynz for a great selection of photos.
Green-veined Whites                                       LH
6 Spot Burnet moth                          LH
Ringlet                                            LH
Peacock                                         LH
Black-tailed Skimmer                                            LH

Edderthorpe, Friday morning

Not too much change overnight but still plenty of birds to see;- Shelduck 6, Little Egret 4, Oystercatcher 1, Common Sand 8, Green Sand 2, Redshank 2, Ringed Plover 15, Dunlin 9 and Snipe 6.

Thursday 25 July 2013

The Edge 25th July

Broomhill Flash mid AM - Present were 1 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 13 Little Grebe, 2 Mute Swan, 72 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 15 Mallard, 13 Tufted Duck +22 young, 10 Gadwall+11 young, 30+ Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper and 2 Kestrel.

Bolton Ings late AM/early PM - On the water were 14 Little Grebe, 2 adult Great Crested Grebe +3 young, 10 Cormorant, 4 Mute Swan +5 cygnets, 36 Canada Geese, 15 Greylag, 28 Tufted Duck +43 young, 17 Gadwall+ 23 young, 10 Pochard and 5 Mallard. Also present 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 83+ Lapwing, 1 Redshank, 1 Greenshank(calling), 1 Jay, 4 Whitethroat, 3 singing Chiffchaff and 1 Kestrel.

Wombwell Ings mid PM - Many thanks to Dave Waddington and his RSPB team for promptly cleaning out the hide and making it horse-proof. However, if you are larger than size zero then you will not find it easy to get through the entrance at the bottom of the steps. Present were 11 Grey Heron, 25 Greylag, 19 Mallard, 15 Gadwall, 40+ Lapwing, 1 Greenshank, 1juv Curlew and 2 Linnet.
Cormorant -Broomhill Flash

3 Strikes and your out!

This was the scene from Broomhill Flash Tuesday morning. Image was photographed on my iphone so apologies if the image is a little grainy when blown up.



Wintersett - Another 1st 25.07.13

22°C sunny and humid this morning.
Moth Trapping was excellent last night with a Round-winged Muslin being a new species for Wintersett.  This is a really good record for VC63. The only records in 2012 were from Thorne Moors, and these were the first to be recorded there since 1883!   A Muslin Footman was also caught which was useful for identification comparison.
Also caught: Pinion-streaked Snout,  2 Dingy Footman,  3 Scarce Footman,  Silky Wainscot,  Clay Triple-lines, 2 Suspected and 3 Dingy Shears.  There were also numerous Common Footman caught.   The increase in Footman species numbers, whose caterpillars feed on the now thriving algae, lichens and mosses, is a good indication of cleaner air quality.
Very little to report birdwise.
Anglers CP:  Oystercatcher 6,  Teal 1,  Yellow Wagtail 1.
Wintersett Res:  Barn Owl 1.

1st Wintersett   Round-winged Muslin  Thuatha senex  15-20mm        ASmith



Muslin Footman   Nudaria mundana  19-23mm       ASmith

Pinion-streaked Snout  Schrankia costaestrigalis 19-23mm  ASmith Record shot

Quail

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 4 Greylag Geese, 20+ Canada Geese, 50+ Mallards, 10+ Tufted Ducks, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 10+ Coots, 5+ Moorhens, 1 Ringed Plover and 2 Common Sandpipers.
Broadstones Reservoir - c50 Goldfinch.
Spicer House Lane - 1 Quail flushed from roadside verge and into field but not seen (or heard) again.
per "Dan" on HBC website.

Thursday morning, not Night!

Morning visit to Old Moor, highlights: Little Egret, 460 Lapwing, 2 Black-t Godwits, 4 Green Sandpiper (including first juv of autumn to my knowledge,), 3 Common Sand, 3 Redshank (1 ad), 6 Common Tern, Barn Owl. No sign of Night Heron all morning but a Bittern was climbing the reeds in front of Cuckoo tree early am.

Edderthorpe Thursday a.m.

Shelduck 10, Teal 7, Little Egret 1, Grey Heron 14,  Lapwing 354 (there were just 35 last Sunday on the WeBS count day), Black-tailed Godwit 2, Common Sand 5, Green Sand 1, Redshank 2, Dunlin 9, Ringed Plover 14.

Wednesday 24 July 2013

Winscar

Winscar Reservoir - 1 drake Common Scoter, c100 Mallards with new broods 4 + 1 ducklings and 4 adult Oystercatchers with broods  2 + 2 young (just about flying (but preferring to run)).

The Edge 24th July

Wombwell Ings mid AM- More damage to the fence last evening allowed the horses to get into the repaired area and the hide. Had to shoo out 2 horses but didn't stay long due to the smell of dung and the precarious situation of horses trying to re-enter. Birds present included 5 Grey Heron, 83 Canada Geese, 10+ Mallard, 10+ Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck(+brood 4), 20+ Lapwing, 2 LRP, 2 Ringed Plover and1 Greenshank.

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Birds present 16 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan, 72 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 9 Tufted Duck(broods 10,8,4,3), 8 Gadwall(broods 10,8,4), 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel and 2 LBB Gull.

Bolton Ings early PM- A trip to photo Little Owls in Rotherham was unproductive due to the poor field craft by some of the happy snappy brigade already in situ when we arrived. So back to Bolton Wandering. On the open water were 13 Cormorant, 15+ Little Grebe, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 adult Mute Swan+2 cygnets, 7 Canada Geese, 5 Greylag, 24 Tufted Duck +28 young, 15 Gadwall+brood of 10, 10+ Pochard, 3+ Mallard, 2 juv Shelduck, 1Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 3 Oystercatcher, 50+ Lapwing and 2 Redshank.

Today's news

The Night Heron was seen this afternoon and eventually showed well from the hides this evening in the top of the old 'Cuckoo tree'. Other birds at Old Moor today include 2 juv Shelduck, Wigeon, 4 Black-t Godwits, 5 Green Sands and a Dunlin. A Greenshank was on Wombwell Ings.

Also today a drake Common Scoter on Winscar.

Wintersett 24.07.13

Hot,  humid 22degrees and sunny this morning, clouded over early afternoon.
Anglers CP: Yellow Wagtail 1,  Oystercatcher 6.
Cold Hiendley Res: Tufted Duck broods of 6 + 3 and a new brood of 6 ACP - the one that nested on the raft.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 4,  Pochard 3,  Buzzard 1 over, Grasshopper Warbler 1 reeling and a juvenile Tawny Owl was calling in the Willow Wood.
A total of 85 birds were ringed including: 2 juvenile Grasshopper Warblers (that is 6 so far this season), 16 Willow Warblers,  15 Chiffchaffs,  10 Blackcaps,  10 Whitethroats,  6 Reed Warblers and 2 Treecreepers.

Edderthorpe, Wednesday morning

Yesterdays rain has freshened things up but not too much  yet;- Shelduck 10, Little Egret 3, Avocet 1, Lapwing 145, Ringed Plover 12, LRP 4, Common Sand' 6, Green Sand' 4, Dunlin 2, Redshank 1, Common Tern 1.

Tuesday 23 July 2013

Carlton Marsh

4 Small Tortoiseshell, 6 Large White, 2 Comma, 10 Small Skipper, 20 Meadow Brown, 25 Gatekeeper and Purple Hairstreak 1.

Male Southern Hawker

The Edge 23rd July

Rain, rain ,rain, rain. Beautiful rain.
Broomhill Flash mid AM- Spent 10 minutes watching a young Lapwing, just in front of the hide, gorging itself on grubs easily obtainable from the soft ground. Present were 12 Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Little Egret(early AM), 1 Grey Heron, 2 Mute Swan,78 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 7 Tufted Duck(+broods 9,7,5,4,4,3,2), 3 Mallard, 2 Gadwall(+broods10,6), 1 Shoveler, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper and

1 LBB Gull.

Bolton Ings late AM / early PM- On the water were 13 Little Grebe, 4 adult Great Crested Grebe+ 3 young, 8 Cormorant, 4 adult Mute Swan +3 cygnets, 29 Canada Geese, 8 Greylag, 17 Tufted Duck+41 young (greater independence makes it difficult to assess brood size), 23+ Gadwall(broods 9,8), 16 Mallard and  10+ Pochard(+brood 4). Also present 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 2 Oystercatcher, 1 Common Tern, 3 Whitethroat , 4 singing Blackcap+ 3 singing Chiffchaff.

Wombwell Ings mid PM- First signs of vandalism within 24 hours of the new fence around the hide being completed. A displeased walker has given the order of the boot to the barbed wire on the fence across the top of the banking. Birds present were 4 Grey Heron, 16 Canada Geese, 29 Greylag, 24 Mallard, 18 Gadwall, 25+ Lapwing, 1 Greenshank, 7 LRP, 3 Ringed Plover and 2 Linnet.
Grey Partridge Wombwell Ings

Wintersett 23.07.13

Cloudy and warm, then thunder, lightning and heavy rain from 07.15hrs to 09.30hrs.  Short dry spell to 10.15  before heavy rain until 10.45.  Then hot and humid 23 degrees early afternoon.
Anglers CP:  Whimbrel  05.30 - 05.40hrs. Teal 1 + 1 CHRes.,  Oystercatcher 2 adults + 2 juveniles,  Cormorant 7 and Common Tern 4.
Cold Hiendley Res: Tufted Duck 6 small young.
Wintersett Res:  Great Crested Grebe 3 young and  Siskin 1 flew SW.
Moths  trapped last night included: 2 Pinion-streaked Snout,  2 Scarce Footman,  2 Pine Hawk-moths,  2 Dingy Footman, 1 Gothic and 1 Spruce Carpet.

Edderthorpe Flash

Additional to the early report, there were 5 Curlew on the flash also.

Adwick (mid morning)

Grey Heron  5, Little Egret 3, Sanderling 1, Dunlin 1, Oystercatcher 3, Avocet 5 (3 juvs), LRP 4, Ringed Plover 2, Snipe 10, Lapwing c30, Redshank 10, Green Sandpiper 1, Tufted 1 with new brood, (8), Kingfisher 1.

storm brings autumnal feel


Morning at Old Moor where the storm kicked off a bit of wader passage. Full highlights: Little Egret, 2 Wigeon, 3 Green Sands' (adults), 2 Common Sands' 3 Turnstone (Wader Scrape), 4 Redshank (3 juvs). 2 Common Sands' and 2 Green Sands' were at Broomhill Flash at same time (JES) thus a autumn max so far of 5 Green Sands'. This is noticeably low for this time of year when birds are assumed to be failed breeders so hopefully this might indicate they are having a good breeding season?


One of three Turnstones on Wader Scrape - John Hewitt


Edderthorpe Flash early am (GJS): 2 Little Egret,12 Ringed Plover, 4 LRP, 5 Dunlin, Turnstone, 2 Common Sands'.

And late news from last night: Hobby @ Broomhill and female Common Scoter briefly on Mere then left south (JMT).

And even later news from Adwick is that the Spoonbill was present Sunday til 6am when it flew off, probably to Denaby?

Monday 22 July 2013

Carlton Marsh

2 Buzzards in the air together with 2 Sparrowhawks. Kingfisher, 4 juvenile Tufted Ducks and at least 20 half-grown young Gadwall.

Rabbit Ings
A gathering of Small White butterflies taking advantage of the drought conditions to extract minerals from the mud. (Photo by Michael Birkinshaw) This is a common phenomenon with several species.

Adwick p.m.

Little Egret 2;  LRP 1;  Black-tailed Godwit 2; Grey Heron 4+

Dare I post this???

At the risk of attracting ire from the moth-lovers: 

Dittander flowering just east of Bolton Arches on TPT.

Vervain near entrance to Old Moor on TPT just east of entrance across for bench.


Vervain

Hobby & Ingbirchworth

Gilroyd - 1 Hobby near the M1 motorway.
Ingbirchworth Reservoir - 32 Canada Geese, 72 Mallards, 18 Tufted Ducks, 6 Great Crested Grebes + 2 young, 31 Coots, 2 Moorhens, 1 Curlew E and 1 Common Sandpiper.

Wintersett 22.07.13

Cloudy and cool 15 degrees this morning rising to 25 degrees, humid and sunny this afternoon. 
Cold Hiendley Res:  Highlight today was a drake Common Scoter.  Tufted Duck 3 young.  Little Grebe  1 juvenile and Nuthatch 1,
Anglers CP: Yellow Wagtail 1,  Oystercatcher 7,  Pochard 5.  The first flightless Tufted Duck in wing moult was on the lake this morning.
Butterflies became active in large numbers as the temperature rose even though it remained cloudy.
Small Skipper                              Lynz Harston

Saturday 20-7-13.

Ewden valley cabin. The afternoon produced 1 marsh harrier, presumed fem., 1 buzzard, 3 kestrels, 2 merlins, 2 ravens and 9 mistle thrush. Evening at old moor- night heron in flight at river side of pond at w.end, flew into trees out of view at 9-25pm .

Mondays news so far

Afternoon visit to Old Moor: Grey Heron 14, Little Egret 1, Cormorant 14, Wigeon 1, Common Sandpiper 2, Redshank adult, Common Gull first-summer. Additionaly, Dave Waddington had a Sanderling through early am as well as Curlew, Black-t Godwit and Green Sand. Below are a couple of shots of the Avocet chicks which sadly perished. They were found side-by-side, cause of death as yet unknown.



Edderthorpe Flash 22nd July am.

1 Female Common Scoter, (per Ivan Martin) 8 Black-Tailed Godwits, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Avocets, 12 Ringed Plover, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Redshank, 5 Dunlin, 6 Snipe, 3 Common Tern and 3 Yellow Wagtails.

Sundays night news

Old Moor: Again no sign of Night Heron to my knowledge. Birds that were seen: Peregrine, Hobby, 8 Oystercatchers,  8 adult Avocets + 7 juvs (+ 2 well grown juvs dead), Black-t Godwit, Common Sand.

Wombwell Ings: 2 LRP,  3 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Greenshank.

Sunday 21 July 2013

Edderthorpe WeBS count for July

Typically its the national counting day and there's fewer birds on the flash than there's been all week!
Highlights from todays count are;- Shelduck 10, Mallard 110, Gadwall 31, Teal 3, Little Egret 2, Avocet 1, Redshank 5, Dunlin 7, Ringed Plover 20, LRP 4, Black-tailed Godwit 8, Common Sand' 3, Coot 54 and Moorhen 54. The juvenile Med' Gull was still present to dark (22.00) last night but no sign this morning.
And at Ferrymoor (that's the pond across from 'Sash') ;- Canada Goose 52, Mallard 138, Grey Heron 7, Moorhen 22 and Common Tern 2. There's not much water left in the pools on Cudworth Common and very few birds remain on here, just 3 young Lapwings which have yet to fledge.

Midhope

Low Moor, Upper Midhope - 60+ Meadow Pipits including young and adults still feeding nestlings.
Midhope Reservoir - 2 adult Greylag Geese + 20 full grown goslings, female Teal + 8 full-grown ducklings (probably different from the 2 seen on 28th June (even if six were missed/hidden), 2 Tufted Ducks, second pair of Little Grebes + 2 young, 2 Oystercatcher + 1 small young (different from 15th July), Common Sandpiper + 3 young, Spotted Flycatcher feeding young, 13 Mistle Thrushes and 13 Crossbills east. own sighting + Dave Woodriff.

Cudworth

Last night's macro moths from my garden trap included Bordered White, Blackneck, Dark Spectacle, Bordered Sallow and Poplar Hawk. More than 30 species again. Micros were Meal Moth, Brown China Mark and Garden Pebble. 
Bordered White 
 
Blackneck 
 Dark Spectacle
Bordered Sallow
 Poplar Hawk

Wintersett WeBS Totals 21.07.13

Coot 288,   Moorhen 13,   Mute Swan  19,  Great Crested Grebe 21,   Cormorant 6,   Mallard 72,   Tufted Duck 180 (+ 3 broods 1 + 6 + 4),  Pochard 3,  Teal 2,  Goldeneye 1,  Gadwall 3 ( + 3 broods 5 + 6 + 5),  Canada Goose 169,  Greylag Goose 22,  Little Grebe 1.

Wintersett 21.07.13

Cloudy and much cooler,  16°  with a light north westerly this morning.
Anglers CP:   Common Sandpiper 1, Yellow Wagtail 4 over,  Oystercatcher 6 and Goldeneye 1♀.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 2.  Grasshopper Warbler 1 reeling.
Also flying: Small Skipper (ACP).

Bristly Ox-tongue  Picris echioides      First for Wintersett area      ASmith

Common Red Soldier Beetle   Rhagonycha fulva               LHarston

Negative news

No sign of Night Heron today at Old Moor by dusk.

Saturday 20 July 2013

Pochards

Ingbirchworth Reservoir - a good count by moorland standards of 9 Pochards this evening per Mick Cunningham.

Carlton Marsh

This evening's 2 hour ringing session produced 22 birds from 2 nets which included, 3 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler and 1 Whitethroat.
Also present were Tawny Owl and Little Owl + 1 juv and c70 Swallows came in to roost.

Wintersett 20.07.13

Cloudy but hot.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 3,  Yellow Wagtail 1,  Grasshopper Warbler 1 reeling.
106 birds were ringed today including: 16 Whitethroats,  19 Willow Warblers and 2 juvenile Grasshopper Warblers.
Cold Hiendley Res:  Tufted Duck 2 broods of very small young 4 + 6,   2 broods of Gadwall 6 + 5 and Pochard 4 male + 1 female.
Anglers CP: Goldeneye 1 female  and 2 Teal.
Moths:  2 Lunar Hornet moths were sitting on the mist nets (WRes.).

Whimbrel

Harden Quarries - 1 circled for five minutes  then rose high and lost in the cloud per Mick Cunningham.

Adwick Wash late am.

Little Egret 2, Avocet 5, LRP 2, Redshank 6, Little Grebe 2 pair with at least 4 juvs. Also 8 Grey Herons, Kestrel 1, Grey Partridge 2, Greylags c40, Oystercatcher 1, linnet 20+ Skylark 4 and a Kingfisher on the river Dearne.

Saturday am

No sign of Night Heron so far this morning - reserve open til dusk tonight.

Another shot of the Night Heron last night - Chris Harris


Highlights so far: Black-wit, Common Sand' 12 Oystercatchers.

Doing the business....

Another good morning at Edderthorpe Flash. A Bittern was seen in flight before dropping into the high and quite extensive grass on the marsh in front of the seat. A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was amongst the Black-heads early morning but couldn't be located when I left at 09.40. Presumably the Bittern is from Old Moor but the Med' Gull obviously isn't. Also present;- Little Egret 2, Shelduck 10, Ringed Plover 20, LRP 7, Dunlin 8, Common Sandpiper 4, Black-tailed Godwit 8, Redshank 1, Snipe 6

Friday 19 July 2013

Another goodNight

The immature Night Heron turned up again this evening dropping onto Wath Ings at 20.40 and remaining there until 21.30 when it flew, eventually dropping on Knoll Beck and then returning over the Willow Pool towards Reedbed five at c22.00. It was out in the open whilst on Wath and although it was right at the far (eastern) end I did manage to grab a couple of record shots (below). It appears to be a second-summer.



Also today: 15 Grey Herons, Bittern, 10 Oystercatchers, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper Black-t Godwit.

More Jackdaws

Broomhead Park - Spotted Flycatcher feeding 1+ fledgling.
Stocksbridge - 508 Jackdaws E to roost 20:50hrs - 21:15hrs.

Cudworth

29.8c in my garden today!
Last night's moths included, Poplar Hawk, White Ermine, Dot, Peppered, Dotted Clay 2, Clouded Border, Cabbage Moth and a Garden Tiger. At least 33 species of macro and micro's included Orthopygia glaucinalis.

 Clouded Border
 Dotted Clay

Garden Tiger

The Edge19th July

Wombwell Ings early AM- Singing males included 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff and 1Song Thrush. Also present were 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret(flew east at 8.10am), 14 Greylag, 8 Canada Geese, 28 Gadwall, 18 Mallard, 3 Teal, 2 Shoveler,7 LRP, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Greenshank, 20+ Lapwing, 2 Linnet, 1 Grey Partridge and 1 Kingfisher.

Broomhill Flash mid AM- Present were 8 adult+8 juv Little Grebe, 1 Cormorant, 1 Mute Swan, 88 Canada Geese, 1 Greylag, 7 Tufted Duck(+broods 10,6,6,5,4), 3 Mallard, 2 Gadwall(brood 2), 1 Shoveler(brood 6), 1 Snipe, 2 Kestrel and 2 Linnet.

Bolton Ings late AM- Singing males included 5 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler and 1 Grasshopper Warbler. On the open water were 10+ Little Grebe, 3adult + 3 young Great Crested Grebe, 7 Cormorant, 3 adult Mute Swan+ 3 cygnets, 39 Canada Geese, 11 Greylag, 31 Tufted Duck(+broods 18, 7,7,7,6,6,5, 4,2), 8 Gadwall(brood 4), 4 Pochard(brood 6) and 4 Mallard. Also present were 2 Kestrel, 2 Grey Wagtail, 2adult+2 young Common Tern and 1 Kingfisher.

Wintersett 19.07.13

26 degrees and  sunny this morning.
Anglers CP: Yellow Wagtail 1 over,  Oystercatcher 7, Goldeneye 1 female.   Tufted Duck 1 female + 1 very small young.   Black-headed Gull 3 large young and  Common Gull 1.     A 2nd Summer Yellow-legged Gull dropped in.
Wintersett Res: Common Tern 2,  Gadwall 1 feale + 6 large young,  Pochard 6 male + 1 female.
The first Cinnabar caterpillar of the year was seen by Lynz Harston.
Cinnabar Caterpillar                        LHarston

Edderthorpe, Friday morning

Twelve species of wader showing on the Flash this morning;- Oystercatcher 1, Avocet 2, Lapwing, Greenshank 1, Redshank 1, Black-tailed Godwit 4, Ringed Plover 23, LRP 2, Dunlin 5, Common Sand' 7, Green Sand' 1 and Snipe 5. Also present are Little Egret 2, the Shelduck family have fledged and are flying around the area, Teal 3, Common Tern 2 and a Kingfisher.

Thursday 18 July 2013

Late update

No sign of Night Heron at Old Moor tonight but 3 Little Egrets roosted, 19 Black-wits through, 2 Redshank, 3+ Barn Owls.

Barrow Tip

15 species of butterflies today included Meadow Brown 618, Ringlet 364, Gatekeeper 258 and a Red Admiral, which is very scarce this year so far. Purple Hairstreak was also present. (Chris Parkin)

Carlton Marsh
A new brood of 5 Little Grebe today and some lovely Chub in Cudworth Dike. Not bad for arguably the most polluted water course in South Yorkshire. Amongst the many wild flowers on the railway embankment none are sweeter scented than Ladies Bedstraw. It was actually used as bedding in times past hence the name.

Ladies Bedstraw
Cudworth
Since the influence of a blocking high pressure system sent temperatures soaring from the 4th of July my highest recorded temperature in the garden is 30.1c (86f) on the 13th. Today came close at 29.3c, equalling the temperature on the 12th. This brings back memories of the summer of 1995, which was equal in many ways to the 1976 fabulous summer when temperatures hit the 32c (90f) several times.